DURHAM County Show has been cancelled because of fears about foot-and-mouth disease.

It was due to take place over the weekend of July 14 and 15 at the Northern Area Playing Fields in Washington.

The organisers, Durham County Agricultural Society, had been hoping to go ahead with the show, without farm livestock entries. But last week members decided unanimously to cancel it.

Secretary Christine Duke said: "We took the decision to cancel the show on the advice of Maff. We are an agricultural society and we know what sort of situation farmers are facing at the moment. We didn't think it would be fair to go ahead under the circumstances."

The show dates back to 1841 and is one of the oldest in the country, attracting thousands of entries and visitors from across the region.

It moved to Washington last year after losing its traditional venue at Lambton Park.

The show is due to move to a new venue next year and the organisers have decided to concentrate their efforts on fund-raising and looking for a sponsor for the event.

Sedgefield Show has also fallen victim to foot-and-mouth.